When Gov. Bill Haslam selects Nashville's next Criminal Court judge, he will choose between a longtime staffer at the state attorney general's office, a private attorney and a former councilman who has experience on the bench.

Three finalists were selected Wednesday by the Trial Court Vacancy Commission after several hours of interviews with eight applicants. The commission sent the names to Haslam, who will ultimately decide who will replace Judge Seth Norman, a Criminal Court judge who is retiring in September.

Here's more about the finalists.

Cynthia Chappell

Chappell has worked on her own since 2007, when she left the law firm then known as Dodson, Parker & Behm in Nashville. She's been a licensed lawyer in Tennessee since 1993 and is a native Tennessean. Chappell's practice fluctuates between criminal, civil and family law. In 2015 she helped represent John Jay Hooker, a firebrand of Tennessee politics who sued for the right to get life-ending medicine from his doctors.

On Wednesday, Chappell said she was motivated to apply again to fight "increasing cynicism and distrust of the criminal justice system." During her remarks, Chappell cited the need for equal justice, echoing the words of criminal justice reform advocates.

"Justice is not for sale, it is not solely for the wealthy, it does not depend on the color of your skin," Chappell said.

Nick Leonardo

Leonardo, a former city councilman, has been on the bench in General Sessions court since January, when the Metro Council appointed him to fill a vacancy there. That seat was up for election in May, when Leonardo lost to prosecutor Ana Escobar, who will begin her term in September.

Leonardo also was a finalist to replace Wyatt.

While speaking to the board Wednesday, Leonardo said his eight months of experience on the bench in a high-volume General Sessions courtroom set him apart from the other candidates to fill Norman's vacancy.

"It's something that I've taken very seriously," Leonardo said. "As a lawyer I was responsible for a couple cases on the docket every day, but when you're responsible for all 200 ... it's a humbling experience."

Leonardo got support Wednesday from state Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville, who introduced him to the commission.

Jennifer Smith

Smith has worked in the Tennessee attorney general's office since 1998 and currently serves there as associate solicitor general.

She works on criminal appeals at the state and federal level, including cases that go before the U.S. Supreme Court. Recently, Smith has worked on the high-profile challenge to Tennessee's lethal injection law.

Smith is a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, service that was praised widely by the commission. She also cited her connections in the community, including leading a local Cub Scout group and as a Hillsboro High School band booster.

She said she believed she had the strength to win an election, which would be required to stay on the bench. Norman's seat will be on the ballot in 2020.

"I think I have a compelling story," she said. "I think people want to support veterans. I think people want to support people who have shown a commitment to service."

Reach Adam Tamburin at atamburin@tennessean.com or 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.